News

The latest Jefferson Area Community Survey shows Charlottesville to be what UVA’s Center for Survey Research calls a blue enclave in a purple state when it comes to legalized marijuana and same-sex marriage. Tom Guterbock is the center’s director. “We found that majorities support both of these policies in our area, and that it’s considerably more favorable here than it is in the state as a whole.” Statewide, 48 percent support the legalization of marijuana for personal use, while in the Charlottesville region, 61 percent of adults are in favor. Young adults are generally more favorable toward legalization, with 84.3 percent of voters ages 18 to 25 supporting legalization compared to only 37 percent of those over 64. As for same-sex marriage, 68 percent say they’re in support. In a statewide poll, 50 percent say they support marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Once again, younger voters are more likely to support the issue. Among self-identified students, support was unanimous.